Encounters of The Divine Part 2

Encounters Of The Divine Part Two...

Carriers of His Presence by AJ Butel

The Lord is beckoning us to desire more of Him, to experience more of Him, and to share our new reality with a lost, broken and hurting world.

This is a day when God is raising a movement of radical believers, who will be altogether captivated by their King, encroaching this destructive culture with His transforming love. Reflecting their Heavenly Father’s heart in all they do and say, this army of surrendered warriors will demonstrate a God of power, hope, grace and redemption.

Burning with Ruach (His Living Spirit), these devoted presence-dwellers will transfer uncompromising messages of revelation and empowerment from heaven to earth.

Birthed through a simple yet intense affection for the Lord, their lifestyle of ministry will bring illumination to the souls of humankind, piercing the heart of the enemy, and rousing Saints to advance the Kingdom.

It's In The Choosing

Yet despite God’s design, the sad truth is that so often we turn to another way of life. We look to a cheaper alternative—toward the seen and tangible, the measurable and calculable.

Beyond our initial search for connection with the Lord and the pursuit of His heart, we can tend to settle for a wider, smoother, faster route; and a more accepted and readily preached avenue. Beyond our wholehearted desire for the inexhaustible presence of the Almighty, we can become tired, and subtly persuaded by the limitations of time, lured by distractions, and ensnared within the seduction of man-made ideas and opinions. Submitting to compromise, we engage on a more 'domesticated' level of a diluted Gospel, where everything is definable, manageable and definitive. This is a more 'comfortable' style of Christianity where uncertainties are calmed by reasoning and human intellect, and deep longings are doused by earth-bound pleasures and convenience.

Our subconscious dialogue files through its perceived choices... Can I gauge this? Is it available on demand? Am I able to control its response? Will I be accepted? When the answers fall short, we concede. Well, this is just not for me. It's too difficult... too inconvenient... too challenging... too unsettling... too arduous... And the narrow road becomes widened to the more traveled highway of ease.

Unfortunately, the simpler option is to settle for a ‘christianized’ self-management program, a life contained by a 'fit-in-to-the-mold' philosophy, and reserved to a 'don't-pop-out-of-your-box' lifestyle—rather than an experiential, less predictable, and thrilling adventure with the King of Kings!

Our Answers Are In The Anointing

Even when we have unlimited resources, impressive programs, and the most refined procedures and systems in place, at the end of the day these only accent the real answer to 'ultimate fulfillment' and the core solution to transforming society—the incomparable presence of the Lord. Whereas His anointing is the ONLY 'agent' that conclusively heals the broken hearted, sets the captive free, supports hope and peace, replaces mourning for joy, and exchanges life for death.

I don't know about you, but I want to be recognized as a Revivalist... not because of works alone, or theological prowess, or a charismatic demeanor, but because of the transforming power of His anointing upon my life!

So where then can His anointing be found? If you read through Isaiah 61, you will note that ALL the supernatural transfigurement spoken of in this scripture (the miraculous beauty, joy, praise, planting, rebuilding, justice, covering etc.), begins with the Spirit of the Lord—the anointing—the power of His presence.

The anointing is in the overshadowing of the Lord.

Polish and perfected procedure cannot in themselves breathe life. God's hard wiring within humankind is far too organic for a second-rate settlement so stagnant and predictable as man’s agenda and routine! An organized life, well-managed business or state-of-the-art sound system should only be considered possible condiments accompanying the main course (not necessary… and subject to personal taste only), but mistakenly they are very often touted as the vital nutrients to individual wholeness or even corporate church ‘success.’ Today in many streams, the Church’s ‘relevancy’ has been prioritized over and above its power and effectiveness in preaching the complete Gospel of the Kingdom—with signs, wonders and miracles following.

What might you be putting before going about your Father’s business? A popular reputation, an education, a good-looking wardrobe, scheduled five-year personal development plan, or renovated building facade won't in their own strength minister comfort and hope. Simply said, they don't hold life! They only accessorize it. However, a heart that cherishes and releases the presence of God will unceasingly bring refreshment to waste places, and Eden to barren wilderness.

Just the mere presence of God Almighty can shake a nation!

Just His mere presence can bend a sinner at their knees.

Just His mere presence can shatter chains of injustice, rejection and addiction.

Just His mere presence can break down the walls dividing denominations, cultures, generations, and even nations.

Just His mere presence can bring restoration and peace and wholeness.

Just His mere presence can metamorphose the environment, delivering the land free of decay, drought, famine and disease.

And it is simply His sweet and powerful presence which brings spiritual conception through to delivery.

Receive & Release

How about you? Are you a carrier of the presence of the Lord? Are you smeared in His anointing? Are you dripping with His fragrant oil? Despite your circumstances, are you expecting His spectacular power to invade the deepest corners of your innermost being? Are you believing for the outworking of His amazing grace and lavishly bountiful provision to flow in your life? Are you walking with the knowledge that you are a highly esteemed child of God Almighty, redeemed and purchased by the Blood of His Son, and seated with Him in Heavenly places? Are you anticipating His Glory to overflow in, through and from your life? Are you going about your Father’s business being overshadowed by the power of His presence?

The amazing thing about God Almighty is that through the Cross, we ALL qualify to fellowship with Him and be overshadowed by His indescribable presence. What is so completely astounding is that mere flesh and blood, born of sin (that is you and I), are invited to step right into His Glory realm—the Holy of Holies.

Dear friend, please let me encourage you to pause from your regular schedule, re-define your priorities where necessary, and consecrate yourself unto the Lord. He is a good God. He is a faithful God. He is a jealous God. Don't hold back. Give Him all you have out of a willingness to know Him more. Then watch Him move in your life in a way He never has before. I am sure you will agree with me, that there is no other place like the presence of God. There is absolutely nothing that compares with trusting in the Lord and being embraced by His goodness and grace.

Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence... Psalm 31:19-20

Even when we don’t feel the tangible sensation of the Lord, we are ALWAYS surrounded by His presence. Fill your heart with His promise to hide you in the secret place of His presence! Remember, in His presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). Make a deliberate choice to become familiar with His presence! And to be a deliverer of all that He gives you!

End of Part 2

This article is an adapted excerpt from AJ's book, 'Overshadowed' - E-book available online at www.ajbutel.com